POSITIVE NEWS What went right this week: net-zero China, Covid sniffer dogs and more positive news
Posted 9th October 2020 • Written by www.positive.news • • • • •
China pledged to be carbon neutral by 2060, electric coaches got the go-ahead in Scotland and Covid sniffer dogs were deployed in Finland, plus other positive news
China set a date for carbon neutrality
China, the world’ s biggest source of CO2, will aim to be carbon neutral by 2060, said President Xi Jinping, who made the pledge via video link at the UN general assembly in New York. Xi said he expected CO2 emissions in the country to peak before 2030.
Though details of how China plans to achieve carbon neutrality remain unclear, the announcement is significant not least because it puts pressure on the US to act. President Trump currently intends to withdraw the US from the Paris climate accord.
Li Shuo, an expert on Chinese climate policy at Greenpeace Asia, told the BBC: “Xi has not only injected much needed momentum to global climate politics, but presented an intriguing geopolitical question in front of the world: on a global common issue, China has moved ahead regardless of the US. Will Washington follow?”
Green light for electric coach travel in Scotland
The UK’s first all-electric, intercity coach service is set to launch next week, providing passengers with emissions-free transport between Edinburgh and Dundee. The 125-mile round trip will be completed on a single charge and tickets will cost from £7.50 one way.
The service will be operated by Ember, a transport startup with designs on disrupting coach travel in the UK. The company currently has just two electric vehicles, but says it intends to boost its fleet and offer more routes.
“Building our technology from the ground up means we are optimising everything around a fully electric fleet,” said Pierce Glennie, one of Ember’s co-founders. “This allows us to offer lower prices and a better service, all with zero emissions.”
Harmful pesticide to be outlawed in UK
Metaldehyde, a pesticide used to control slugs on farms and in gardens, will be banned for outdoor use in the UK from March 2022, the government has announced.
The decision follows advice from the UK Expert Committee on Pesticides and the Health and Safety Executive about the risks that metaldehyde poses to birds and mammals.
“The government is committed to building back greener from coronavirus and the restrictions on the use of metaldehyde are another step towards building a cleaner and greener country for the next generation,” said farming minister Victoria Prentis.
Photo: Edward He